Suspended jockey Danny Nikolic accused of lying in court to face trial

Suspended jockey Danny Nikolic will stand trial over allegations he lied about his involvement in a 2012 car crash to avoid conviction.

Police allege Nikolic lied in the Dandenong Magistrates Court in Melbourne earlier this year, when he claimed his now deceased uncle was driving his luxury four-wheel drive when it ran a red light and crashed into a van in March, 2012.

It is alleged the 39-year-old pretended he was in the back seat of the car on the phone when the offences occurred.

The Caulfield Cup winning jockey was charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Nikolic is on bail and appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a committal mention.

Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg said he was satisfied there was enough evidence to support conviction and directed Nikolic for trial in the County Court.

When asked how he would plead, Nikolic said he was not guilty.

Nikolic's lawyers said they would seek to have a trial against him cancelled out.

His barrister, Michael O'Connell SC said Nikolic had already been acquitted of dangerous driving charges relating to the crash, putting the perjury case against him into question.

Bail was extended and Nikolic will appear in the County Court on Tuesday morning for trial directions.